Smells and sights of Eidul Azha

“The three-day festival of Eidul Azha went off as usual. It was a great time of the year. Everybody tried to look good on Eid. On this occasion, new clothes were purchased, house was cleaned, decorated and lighted,” says Sibte Hasan, a student.

“One can’t forget the delicious dishes and the aroma of barbeques, ‘biryanis’ and ‘tikka botis’, ‘balti gosht’, ‘korma’, ‘kaleji’, ‘kebab’, ‘nihari’; as animals were sacrificed hence, feasting and partying formed the main attractions of the day,” adds Hasan.

“On the first day of Eid I heard my father waking me and my younger brother to go to mosque along with him for Eid prayers. After Eid prayer we embraced each other and all our friends and acquaintances,” says Mazhar Zaidi, also a student.

“On our way back home many extended their hands towards us and gave us a warm hug," adds Mazhar. “As soon as I smelt my mother’s freshly prepared food wafting through the house, I hopped out of bed. She set the table with the pink rose tea set and plates that were reserved for special occasions. I always felt like a princess because they had gold trimming,” says Shaista Naqvi, a college student.

“After my brother and father had left for mosque it was my job to set the table. It was basically putting prepared food bowls on the table for the visitors who had already arrived to greet us. I felt important,” adds Shaista Naqvi.

“When my father and brothers got back from mosque I said Eid Mubarak to them. I had already put on my Eid clothes. This was exciting because I had gone shopping weeks before for the dress my mother bought me. My mother loves dressing me and my younger sister in the same outfits. I think it has more to do with convenience than fashion,” says Fatima Hayat, a varsity student.

“To this day she maintains it was the height of fashion. She bought it at a little boutique. Looking back I feel pleased that she allowed to dress me like this and convince me that this actually looked good. A mother’s word is powerful I tell you. My little brothers were quite pleased with their dresses as well and would point it out to all and sundry,” adds Fatima.

Jafar Hussain, a kid says: “The second day of the Eid was spent greeting various aunties, uncles and cousins. The family would always give us some money and for some reason they always give little ones more as we look cute.”

“Lunch times were a feast on the second day. My mom prepared several delicacies. We ate some spicy and flavourful delicacy. Karahi Gosht was just the right one for us. It’s one of the perfect dishes for a special occasion, especially Bakra Eid. Then there were the desserts, pudding with custard etc.

Arifa Imam says: “On the first day my mom had filled the deep freezer to its full capacity. So, on the next day, I ate delicious barbeques, ‘kalejis’, ‘botis.’ yumm! On the third day of Eid, my question was ‘Ab aur kitna gosht reh gaya hai’ and when we received a tray from the neighbour, I thought it must be ‘Biryani’. O God let it be chicken biryani! Ew, it was ‘gosht’ again raw meat.” Arfia’s mom says: “This year Eidul Azha was quite nostalgic. It really took me down memory lane and gave me a warm feeling.”